Wardwizard - C4V

Vadodara-headquartered electric vehicle manufacturer of ‘Joy e-bike’ and ‘Joy e-rik’ brand Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with C4V, a New York-based lithium-ion battery technology.

As per the understanding, C4V will utilise its knowledge of high-charging cycle battery pack, cells and LFP batteries optimised for Wardwizard’s EV portfolio in India.

The partners will work together to define product specifications, develop prototypes, and test the performance and reliability of the batteries. The aim is to localise EV battery manufacturing.

Yatin Gupte, Chairman & MD, Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility, said, “This partnership with C4V Holdings is a milestone in our journey to revolutionise the EV ecosystem. By collaborating on cutting-edge battery technology, we aim to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers while contributing to India’s green mobility vision. This MoU reaffirms our commitment to localisation and advancing technological capabilities in the EV industry.”

Dr. Shailesh Upreti, CEO, C4V, said, “We are excited to partner with Wardwizard Innovations to bring our advanced battery technology to India. This collaboration provides C4V with a valuable opportunity to establish supply agreements not only in India but also in other key regions. By leveraging Wardwizard’s expertise and market presence, we aim to deliver high-performance battery solutions that drive innovation and growth for both companies while supporting the global transition to sustainable energy.”

Lloyds Metals And Energy Completes World-First Electric Conversion Of Liebherr Excavator

LMEL

Lloyds Metals and Energy (LMEL) has completed the diesel-to-electric conversion of a Liebherr R996 excavator, marking the first time a mining machine in this category has been retrofitted for fully electric operations.

The project was executed by the company's internal engineering and technology teams and involved a redesign of the vehicle's power architecture and control systems. The shift to electric power is intended to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions associated with the machine's operation while reducing reliance on diesel fuel.

The engineering process included the development of proprietary digital monitoring and safety solutions to manage the high-power requirements of the heavy-duty excavator. By sourcing and engineering major subsystems within India, the project serves as a demonstration of domestic capability in advanced heavy engineering and sustainable industrial innovation.

LMEL expects the conversion to improve operational performance through the use of real-time diagnostics and predictive maintenance.

Established in 1977, LMEL operates iron ore mines in Maharashtra and is expanding its integrated steel operations. The company currently produces 0.7 MTPA of direct reduced iron (DRI) and has commissioned a 4 MTPA pellet plant, with long-term plans to increase iron ore dispatch capacity to 26 MTPA. Its sustainability strategy includes the deployment of electric vehicle fleets and the construction of slurry pipelines to lower transport-related emissions.

B Prabhakaran, Managing Director, Lloyds Metals and Energy, said, “This landmark achievement, is not just about electrifying a machine – it is about reimagining the future of mining. At LMEL, we believe that responsible mining and sustainability must go hand in hand. This achievement demonstrates India’s capability to deliver world-class, zero-emission solutions in even the most complex and heavy-duty environments. We are proud to contribute to a future where mining is both productive and environmentally responsible.”

Tata Motors Commences Deliveries Of Electric Prime Movers To BillionE Mobility

Tata Motors - BillionE Mobility

Tata Motors, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has begun delivering the first batch of Prima E.55S electric prime movers to BillionE Mobility, as part of an order for 250 units of the EV.

The fleet is scheduled for phased deployment across freight corridors in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and the Delhi NCR region to transport industrial goods including steel and cement.

The Prima E.55S is constructed on the i-MoEV architecture and utilises a 450 kWh battery pack, which is claimed to be the largest in its category. The e-truck comes with a claimed range of up to 350 km on a single charge and features an integrated e-axle, a three-speed automatic transmission and dual-gun fast-charging capabilities.

In terms of safety it get a driver monitoring system, lane departure warning and an electronic braking system.

BillionE Mobility intends to scale its heavy-duty logistics operations to 1,500 units over the next 18 months through this strategic partnership. Tata Motors supports its alternative fuel portfolio through the Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative and a service network comprising 3,200 touchpoints across India.

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder of BillionE & ChargeZone, and Sanjeev Kulkarni, CEO of BillionE Mobility, said, “Our focus at Billion Electric Mobility is on building electric commercial vehicle solutions that can be deployed reliably, and at scale across real freight operations for inter-city routes. We are entering into a strategic partnership with Tata Motors as we aim to accelerate our commitment for systematic large-scale acquisition and month on month planned pipeline for deployment 6 to 18 months targeting 1,500 units of heavy‑duty logistics in India. The Tata Prima E.55S delivers the performance, reliability and operational efficiency required for intensive logistics solutions across various applications. We are pleased to induct Prima E.55S 450kWh, India’s largest in-class battery capacity of 450 kWh to enhance our long-haul logistics capabilities.”

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President and Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors, said, “Electric trucking scales when vehicles are built for real operating conditions – duty cycles, uptime, energy efficiency and total cost of ownership. Developed with this application‑led approach, the Prima E.55S brings together India’s first high‑performance e‑axle, an advanced battery management system and dual charging ports, supported by a segment‑leading 450 kWh battery pack designed for extended range and demanding duty cycles. These technologies translate into strong performance, higher uptime and lower operating costs, enabling customers to achieve faster payback. Our close collaboration with BillionE Mobility has ensured alignment across the vehicle and the supporting ecosystem, enabling dependable electric operations across key freight corridors.”

Switch Mobility Deploys Electric Intercity Coaches On Mumbai–Pune Route

Switch Mobility

Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle division of the Hinduja Group, has delivered the first 10 units of its EiV12mt intercity electric coaches to Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions.

The e-buses were inaugurated in Pune and will operate on the Mumbai–Pune corridor. This deployment represents the manufacturer's first supply of intercity coaches to a private sector operator and facilitates the entry of Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions into the electric intercity segment.

The delivery is part of a larger order for 25 electric buses being deployed in partnership with Vertelo. The remaining units are scheduled for delivery throughout the year. The EiV12mt coach is designed for long-distance operations, featuring 45 pushback seats and a range exceeding 300 km per charge. The vehicle incorporates fast-charging technology and the Switch iON connected system for real-time fleet monitoring and data analysis.

Till date, Switch Mobility has deployed over 2,500 electric buses in India to date and has previously supplied intercity vehicles to state transport undertakings such as UPSRTC. The company intends to scale its presence in the intercity segment as operators transition from internal combustion engines to electric propulsion for high-frequency travel corridors.

Ganesh Mani, CEO, Switch Mobility, said, “The flag-off marks another important step in expanding electric mobility beyond cities and strengthening our presence in the intercity segment. This partnership reflects the growing confidence in electric buses for high-frequency routes like Mumbai–Pune, where performance, reliability, and efficiency are critical. As we commence deliveries, with the first set of buses now deployed, we look forward to progressively scaling this engagement with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions in the period ahead. At Switch Mobility, we are focused on delivering solutions through the EiV12 platform that are not only sustainable but also commercially viable for operators, while ensuring a superior passenger experience. With intercity mobility continuing to evolve, we are building on our experience in the segment and remain committed to accelerating the adoption of reliable, efficient, and future-ready electric mobility solutions.”

Prasanna Patwardhan, CMD, Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, added, “Entering the intercity segment with electric mobility is a significant milestone for us. Through this collaboration, we are introducing a cleaner and more efficient travel option on the Mumbai–Pune route. We remain focused on enhancing the overall journey experience while moving towards more sustainable operations. With Switch Mobility we value our partnership for long term E Mobility Solutions.”

BMW hydrogen

German luxury automotive brand BMW Group has introduced a new hydrogen tank architecture for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, extending the vehicle's range to 750 km. The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system integrates with the vehicle structure to maintain cabin space and compatibility with the company's Gen6 high-voltage battery.

The storage unit consists of 7 high-pressure tanks constructed from carbon-fibre reinforced composite. These tanks are connected in parallel within a metal frame and operate as a single unit controlled by a central valve.

Key performance data:

  • Capacity: Stores at least seven kilograms of hydrogen.
  • Refuelling: Pressure levels of 700 bar allow for a full refill in under five minutes.
  • Propulsion: Utilises Gen3 fuel cell technology combined with the "Heart of Joy" drivetrain and chassis control software.
  • Integration: The flat design allows hydrogen models to be manufactured on the same production lines as petrol, diesel and battery-electric variants.

The development of the powertrain and tank system is part of the ‘HyPowerDrive’ project. The initiative has received EUR 191 million from the German Federal Ministry of Transport and EUR 82 million from the state of Bavaria.

BMW intends to integrate the iX5 Hydrogen into its standard production network in 2028. The flexible architecture of the new X5 allows for five different drive system variants, including plug-in hybrid and battery-electric, to be built on a single platform to reduce technical complexity and manufacturing costs.

Dr Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development, said, “Our new storage concept allows us to fit the hydrogen drive system into the new X5 precisely and in a way that saves space. Think of it as installation Tetris: every customer gets the drive system best suited to their needs and a true BMW X5 with no compromises. This is technology openness and the art of engineering just the way we developers love them!”

The hydrogen programme is part of BMW’s ‘technology-open’ strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on specific raw material chains. By offering hydrogen fuel cell technology alongside conventional and battery-electric systems, the company aims to provide long-range electric driving with refuelling times comparable to internal combustion engines.